April 2020 – Football Flame

30Apr

By Football FlameNo Comments

Bundesliga resumption delayed by German Government

Jadon Sancho and Erling Haaland of Dortmund stretch during a training session behind closed doors after rules to limit the spread of Coronavirus Covid-19 have been put in place at Parc des Princes on March 10, 2020 in Paris, France. Borussia Dortmund will face Paris Saint-Germain in their UEFA Champions League round of 16 second leg match on March 11, 2020.The German Bundesliga will not return on May 9 as previously hoped after the German government delayed a decision on the league's return until next week.Chancellor Angela Merkel and the heads of the federal states held a video summit on Thursday to discuss the impact of the coronavirus on the country.The head of chancellery, Helge Braun, and the federal state chancelleries are now set to bring in a draft resolution for the next "Bund and...

30Apr

By Football FlameNo Comments

NEWS

Paris Saint-Germain to be declared Ligue 1 champions

Neymar Jr and Kylian Mbappe of Paris Saint-Germain celebrate victory 2-0 over Borussia Dortmund during the UEFA Champions League round of 16 second leg match between Paris Saint-Germain and Borussia Dortmund at Parc des Princes on March 11, 2020 in Paris, France. The match is played behind closed doors as a precaution against the spread of COVID-19 (Coronavirus).Paris Saint-Germain are set to be awarded the Ligue 1 title, according to reports in France, in a move that could pave the way for Liverpool to lift their first ever Premier League title - even if they do not play their last nine games.The Premier League and Ligue 1 were both suspended on 13 March due to the coronavirus outbreak. French clubs had hoped to return to training in May when president Emmanuel Macron is aiming to reopen ...

30Apr

By Football FlameNo Comments

PREMIER LEAGUE

Rio Ferdinand Reveals Man United's Paul Pogba best position

Paul Pogba of Manchester United applauds fans after the Premier League match between Manchester United and Newcastle United at Old Trafford on December 26, 2019 in Manchester, United Kingdom.Rio Ferdinand believes Manchester United haven't seen the best of Paul Pogba because he's not been played in his best position regularly enough.Pogba's position has been a debate at Old Trafford ever since he sealed a return to the club in summer 2016.Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has often picked Pogba in a two-man midfield, but Ferdinand thinks the player's attacking skills are not best utilised in deeper positions. The former England centre-back believes Pogba can still salvage his United career, but only if Solskjaer gets his selections right."I don’t feel he’s been played in his best position a lot of the ...

30Apr

By Football FlameNo Comments

TRANSFERS

Leipzig Striker Timo Werner turned down move to Bayern Munich

Leipzig's player Timo Werner talks to his teammates before a throw-in from the sidelines.Timo Werner has turned down the chance to sign for Bayern Munich this summer, as he wants to join Liverpool instead due to Jurgen Klopp. That's according to a report in German outlet BILD, claiming Bayern will now turn all their attentions towards Leroy Sane.Werner has been heavily linked with a move to Liverpool all season.The young striker has a release clause of £51million, and the Reds are set to trigger that fee.However, a host of other teams were also interested, including Chelsea and Manchester United.Bayern were reportedly ready to make a move for him ahead of the window, but have now pulled out of the race.Instead, they have decided to target Sane, who is expected to leave Manchester City for ...

29Apr

By Football FlameNo Comments

TRANSFERS

Arsenal eye Summer move for Real Madrid Loanee Sergio Reguilon

Sergio Reguilon of Sevilla FC controls the ball during the Liga match between Club Atletico de Madrid and Sevilla FC at Wanda Metropolitano on March 7, 2020 in Madrid, Spain.Arsenal are reportedly interested in a summer deal for Real Madrid defender Sergio Reguilon.The 23-year-old made 22 appearances for Madrid last season but was deemed surplus to requirements for the current campaign and subsequently joined Sevilla on loan last summer.Reguilon has been a regular for Julen Lopetegui's side this season - making 25 appearances in all competitions - although he is due to return to the Bernabeu ahead of the 2020-21 campaign.Paris Saint-Germain are said to have identified the former Spain Under-21 international as a potential signing during this summer's transfer window.However, according to A...

29Apr

By Football FlameNo Comments

BUNDESLIGA

Bayern Star Alphonso Davies disclose how he grew up supporting Chelsea

Alphonso Davies of FC Bayern Muenchen runs during a training session at Saebener Strasse training ground on April 21, 2020 in Munich, Germany.Bayern Munich left-back Alphonso Davies has said he grew up supporting Chelsea because of his dad’s influence.Chelsea fans do not had fond memories of the Canada international, thanks to his performance when Bayern Munich visited Stamford Bridge in February.Davies’ electric pace caused so much trouble for Chelsea defenders in the Champions League’s round of 16.His assist to Robert Lewandowski after Serge Gnabry’s brace earlier left Chelsea trailing by three goals ahead of the suspended second leg at Allianz Arena.But the 19-year-old who has just signed a new contract with Bayern has admitted having a soft spot for Chelsea as he grew up supporting the...

29Apr

By Football FlameNo Comments

LALIGA

Real Madrid Reportedly Demand £44m For Arsenal to make Dani Ceballos Move Permanent

Dani Ceballos of Arsenal during a training session at London Colney on March 10, 2020 in St Albans, England.Arsenal will have to pay £44million to seal the permanent transfer of Dani Ceballos, according to reports in Spain. Real Madrid expect the midfielder to return to the club at the end of his loan spell and have not ruled out the possibility of promoting Ceballos to the first-team. Eager to keep hold of his place in the Spain national side, Ceballos has prioritised regular football ahead of next season and managed to win the trust of Mikel Arteta after initially falling down the pecking order at the Emirates.Arsenal are keen to sign Ceballos permanently or bring him back to the club on another season-long loan following his performances this term.AS claim Real are only prepared to...

28Apr

By Football FlameNo Comments

NEWS

French Prime Minister Edouard Philippe says Ligue 1 Season will not resume Until September

Juan Bernat, Idrissa Gueye, Neymar Jr, Presnel Kimpembe and Mauro Icardi of Paris Saint-Germain celebrate victory 2-0 over Borussia Dortmund during the UEFA Champions League round of 16 second leg match between Paris Saint-Germain and Borussia Dortmund at Parc des Princes on March 11, 2020 in Paris, France. The match is played behind closed doors as a precaution against the spread of COVID-19 (Coronavirus).The French football season is over after Prime Minister Edouard Philippe declared no team sports will be played before September. It means Ligue 1 follows the Netherlands as the second league to end their season due to the pandemic.The French Professional Football League had been hopeful teams could resume training within a fortnight after plans emerged earlier this month for the le...

28Apr

By Football FlameNo Comments

TRANSFERS

Everton want to sign Barcelona loanee Jean-Clair Todibo

Jean-Clair Todibo of FC Schalke 04 looks on during the Bundesliga match between FC Schalke 04 and TSG 1899 Hoffenheim at Veltins-Arena on March 7, 2020 in Gelsenkirchen, Germany.Everton are reportedly close to sealing a deal for Barcelona defender Jean-Clair Todibo.The centre-back has spent the 2019-20 campaign on loan at German side Schalke 04, but the Bundesliga outfit are understood to not be taking up their offer of a permanent deal due to the financial implications of the coronavirus outbreak.However, according to Sport, Everton have been in contact with Barcelona over a move for Todibo, and the Frenchman is said to be open to a move to England.The report claims that the Toffees have proposed an initial offer of €20m (£17.4m) potentially rising to €25m (£21.8m) depending on performanc...

26Apr

By Football FlameNo Comments

NEWS

Former Barcelona boss Valverde explains why it's “very easy” to coach Messi

(L-R) Lionel Messi of FC Barcelona, coach Ernesto Valverde of FC Barcelona during the UEFA Champions League group F match between Borussia Dortmund and FC Barcelona at at the BVB stadium on September 17, 2019 in Dortmund, Germany.Former Barcelona manager Ernesto Valverde has been talking about what it’s like to manage Lionel Messi and how easy it is to coach the Argentina international.Valverde was fired in January after two-and-a-half years at the club where he won two league titles and the Copa del Rey but oversaw some painful Champions League exits.The 56-year-old has now been speaking about the Barcelona captain and what it’s like to work with him at the Camp Nou.“Messi can’t be compared with anyone,” said Valverde, via Goal.“It’s very difficult to tell him if you’ve seen this or anoth...